US presidential candidate: ‘What is Aleppo?’

As the Libertarian Party’s presidential candidate, Gary Johnson has some strongly held beliefs on how US domestic policy should be run. What he may be lacking, however, is some basic knowledge on foreign affairs.

Interviewed on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” program on Thursday, the candidate was asked by host Mike Barnicle: “What would you do, if you were elected, about Aleppo?”

Aleppo, Syria’s largest city before the fighting started, has become a symbol of the carnage of that nation’s civil war and the suffering of its civilians. It has often been the centerpiece of reporting from the battle-scarred region.

But Johnson appeared unfamiliar with it. “About…?” he asked. “Aleppo,” Barnicle repeated.

“And what is Aleppo?” a perplexed Johnson shot back.

This time it was Barnicle’s turn to look miffed. “You’re kidding,” he said.

“No,” Johnson retorted.

“Aleppo is in Syria,” Barnicle explained. “It’s the epicenter of the refugee crisis–”

“OK, got it, got it,” Johnson cut him off quickly, apparently realizing his mistake.

He then went on to give a short statement on his position on Syria, though it too was not particularly big on details.

A building is seen with heavy damage in Aleppo, Syria, February 11, 2016. (Alexander Kots/Komsomolskaya Pravda via AP)

“With regard to Syria I do think it’s a mess. I think that the only way that we deal with Syria is to join hands with Russia to diplomatically bring that to an end,” he said. He added that he did not support the current administration’s aid to an opposition that was “also coupled with the Islamists… and then with the fact that we’re also supporting the Kurds… it’s just, it’s just a mess.”

Johnson’s gaffe quickly made headlines.

The former New Mexico governor was nominated by the Libertarian Party in May to challenge Republican Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Johnson will appear on the ballot in every state this fall, while Green Party nominee Jill Stein is on track to make it in at least half. The two have been polling at around 9 percent and 3%, respectively.

Asked by MSNBC analyst Mark Halperin how he felt about the error shortly after the interview, a visibly flustered and stammering Johnson tried to explain himself, but arguably made things worse.

“When you recognize what’s going on in Syria… when you recognize that Aleppo is in the kind of epicenter betw– Aleppo, not… knowing that there’s a city in between the two forces, really at the epicenter of the… but not remembering or identifying that’s Aleppo — guilty.”

Pressed by Halperin on whether he should have known the name, Johnson said he was “incredibly frustrated” with himself for making the error.

Asked if the mistake should be made into a big deal as it likely will be in the media, Johnson’s answer was once again somewhat mystifying, as he appeared to repeatedly shoot himself in the foot.

“Well sure it should. Absolutely,” he said, and then went on to relate how he had been unaware as governor of New Mexico of a region in his own state.

“In New Mexico there’s an area called Colonias, which is really destitute, if you will, it’s between the borders. Well, I’m asked, running for governor, what do you think about the Colonias, and I say, ‘Well what do you mean Colonias?’

“‘You don’t know what Colonias is?’ he imitated his interviewers. ‘Well, no, what’s Colonias?’ And then they described what I very well recognized was this area — I didn’t realize it was called Colonias. Is this going to disqualify me from being governor of New Mexico? I hope not.

“I hope that not recognizing Aleppo… but I understand the significance. Believe me, no on is taking this more seriously than me. I feel horrible.”

Asked what lesson he took from the incident, Johnson said: “I have to get smarter. And that’s just part of the process.”